Over 900 companies to participate in DefExpo 2016

Panaji: Over 900 defence-related companies are expected to participate in the DefExpo 2016, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Saturday, adding that a final decision on shifting the international B2B event permanently to Goa would be taken its completion.

Briefing select journalists in at the defence ministry camp office here, he also said that four companies, including Bharat Forge would be showcasing guns manufactured in India at the event, which will be held from March 28.

“We have invited representatives from 117 countries and more than 900 companies are expected to participate in the DefExpo 2016,” Parrikar said, calling it a thumbs up for Make in India.

Asked whether Goa would be made a permanent venue for the Expo, which has been relocated to Goa from Delhi’s Pragati Maidan grounds due to renovation at the latter premises, Parrikar said that a call on this would only be taken “after completion of this expo”.

He also said that several defence ministers as well as a four star general from the US would also be attending the event.

The four-day expo will be held at the Naqueri plateau in Betul village located 45 kms south of Panaji. The relocation has been opposed by the opposition as well as civil society groups, which has accused the defence ministry of trying to hog real estate in a state which is already facing a land crunch.